Taste test: frozen brown rice

Frozen brown rice is a boon to those of us trying to get healthy dinners on the table in less time. These servings of rice go from the freezer to the microwave to the dinner table in just minutes without sacrificing taste.

Kathy Saunders, Times correspondent

﻿﻿

Product/serving

Minute

three-fourths cup

Birds

Eye | one cup

Trader

Joe's | one cup

Rice

Expressions | one cup

Calories/Fat/Fiber/Sugars Socium/Carbs/Protein

155 / 1g / 2g / 0g

10mg / 28g / 3g

150 / 1g / 2g / 0g

5mg / 31g / 4g

200 / 1.5g / 3g / 0g

0mg / 43g / 5g

200 / 1.5g / 3g / 0g

0mg / 43g / 5g

Judges'

comments

These long grains of rice looked the best to our panelists. They liked the texture and the fluffiness of the grains. "The whole pieces of grains are nice and dry and chewy," said one. "This would hold up well as the base for another dish or entree," said another. "I would pile veggies on top and maybe even add some type of broth or gravy."

Judges described this rice as plush, saying it had large grains and a binding texture. "This one has a bit more creaminess, if that's possible," said one. "I like the moistness of this rice," said another. "This is pretty and rich enough to serve alongside my Thanksgiving turkey."

Chicken stir-fry came to mind when judges tasted Trader Joe's frozen brown rice. "It would be perfect for a stir-fry dish or even a Spanish meal with black beans," said one panelist. "This is very toothsome and I love the look of the individual grains." This rice was sturdy and the flavor was subtle so as not to overpower any toppings or additives.

"Good tooth resistance" was how one judge described this rice. She liked the short grains and the "wholesome whole grain flavor." Another said the rice looked and tasted like it had been cooked with some added seasonings. "It stays together like sticky rice," said a judge who liked the texture but said the taste was too bland.

Would they buy?

Two of the four judges said yes.

Two of the four judges said yes.

Two of the four judges said yes.

One of the four judges said yes.

Shopping

information

$1.49 for a 10-ounce package from Publix.

$1.99 for a 10-ounce package from Publix.

$3.49 for a 30-ounce package of three 10-ounce servings.

$4.69 for a 30-ounce package of three 10-ounce services from Earth's Origins Market in St. Petersburg.

Product/serving

Minute

three-fourths cup

Birds

Eye | one cup

Trader

Joe's | one cup

Rice

Expressions | one cup

Calories/Fat/Fiber/Sugars Socium/Carbs/Protein

155 / 1g / 2g / 0g

10mg / 28g / 3g

150 / 1g / 2g / 0g

5mg / 31g / 4g

200 / 1.5g / 3g / 0g

0mg / 43g / 5g

200 / 1.5g / 3g / 0g

0mg / 43g / 5g

Judges'

comments

These long grains of rice looked the best to our panelists. They liked the texture and the fluffiness of the grains. "The whole pieces of grains are nice and dry and chewy," said one. "This would hold up well as the base for another dish or entree," said another. "I would pile veggies on top and maybe even add some type of broth or gravy."

Judges described this rice as plush, saying it had large grains and a binding texture. "This one has a bit more creaminess, if that's possible," said one. "I like the moistness of this rice," said another. "This is pretty and rich enough to serve alongside my Thanksgiving turkey."

Chicken stir-fry came to mind when judges tasted Trader Joe's frozen brown rice. "It would be perfect for a stir-fry dish or even a Spanish meal with black beans," said one panelist. "This is very toothsome and I love the look of the individual grains." This rice was sturdy and the flavor was subtle so as not to overpower any toppings or additives.

"Good tooth resistance" was how one judge described this rice. She liked the short grains and the "wholesome whole grain flavor." Another said the rice looked and tasted like it had been cooked with some added seasonings. "It stays together like sticky rice," said a judge who liked the texture but said the taste was too bland.

Would they buy?

Two of the four judges said yes.

Two of the four judges said yes.

Two of the four judges said yes.

One of the four judges said yes.

Shopping

information

$1.49 for a 10-ounce package from Publix.

$1.99 for a 10-ounce package from Publix.

$3.49 for a 30-ounce package of three 10-ounce servings.

$4.69 for a 30-ounce package of three 10-ounce services from Earth's Origins Market in St. Petersburg.